News

Apple to debut $1 SD TV shows alongside iPad?

By Charles Starrett ● Thursday, February 11, 2010

Apple has been in talks with television networks to lower the price of SD television shows from $2 to $1, according to a new report. Citing people familiar with the discussions, the Financial Times reports that Apple may be planning to debut the lower pricing alongside the launch of the iPad in late March or early April, and several television networks are said to have agreed to the lower prices after “months” of negotiations. According to the report, Apple is also continuing its push for a $30 per month “best of TV” subscription service, but has met with resistance from media companies fearful of destroying traditional distribution relationships. In addition, Apple executives have reportedly been careful not to link any new TV offerings to the Apple TV, as it is seen as a threat to traditional pay-TV services. Notably, the iPad’s 4:3 aspect ratio screen is technically a better fit for standard-definition media than high-definition shows and movies, which traditionally come in a 16:9—or wider—aspect ratio that leaves black bars at the top and bottom of the screen when viewed on the device.

Comments

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It’s important to note that many SD shows also display in the 16:9 format, and may still show black bars when viewed. Most (if not all) recent 16:9 shows are shot so that if cropped to fill a 4:3 screen, you won’t lose any important images.

Posted by Germansuplex on February 11, 2010 at 5:25 PM (CST)

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Paying AU$2.39 per episode TV shows have pushed the popularity of BitTorrent here in Australia.
The convenience of iTunes isn’t worth $2.39 when compared with the inconvenience of BitTorrent Aggregators, Dodgy Torrents and playing with Handbrake and MetaX. $1.19 however…